Listen Now

There does come a point when someone’s behavior puts them in a place of no return when it comes to the acceptance of the public. But where is that line? And who draws it? Was it wrong to attend President Donald Trump’s speech on the National Mall, in Washington, D.C. on January 6th? Did a person cross the line if they climbed the steps and crossed the threshold of the U.S. Capitol?  One of my favorite media trainers joined me on the podcast to discuss damage control in January 2021.  Warren Weeks, the principal of full-service corporate communications firm Eleven Strategic Communications, Inc., sat down to chat with me about some of the names facing public backlash this month. From actor Armie Hammer to Jenna Ryan, the “riot realtor” from Texas who livestreamed her way into infamy from the U.S. Capitol, we give our two cents about people who are paying big time for their recent behavior.  

There were a lot of questions surrounding the storming of the U.S. Capitol last week. Of the many—what should my company say, if anything, about the events in Washington, D.C.?   My guest, Anthony Hayes, sets out a strategy for how executives can respond to any political or social issue without experiencing the backlash.  Anthony Hayes has spent more than 15 years in communications, crisis and issue management and political and legislative campaigns. He founded The Hayes Initiative to apply his experience steering organizations’ public affairs and media relations to clients across business, politics, nonprofits, and philanthropy.    © Molly McPherson 2021      

After Hilaria (ahem, Hillary) Baldwin became the subject of a huge, trending news story during one of the slowest news weeks of the year—she and husband Alec needed a solid response plan.  One course of action, of course, would be to admit that she has misrepresented herself over the past decade by faking a Spanish accent, and then take an extended break from Instagram.  The other—fight back. Turns out the latter choice blew up the story.  This episode is a case study for what the Baldwins should have done to avoid the crisis. Learn a code for staying ahead of a crisis and the one word that will stop it dead in its tracks.  Heard on this episode:  The Hilaria Baldwin Story: 'I'm Living My Life' (New York Times, Dec. 30, 2020)  How to Admit Your Mistakes: The Ellen DeGeneres Apology (Episode 101)  © Molly McPherson 2021

The third part of a series on the best communication tactics during COVID-19, these are episodes I am replaying that are still relevant today as they were in the spring of 2020.* I have assembled a group of savvy professionals working in crisis and risk management, public relations, strategy & planning to offer their take on how to communicate for COVID-19, still!  *Except for the mention of presidential candidate, Joe Biden.  My contributors: 1. Mary Beth West of Fletcher Marketing PR Listen to the #MsInterPReted Podcast Connect with Mary Beth on Twitter   2. Jared Meade, Founder & Principal, Rayne Strategy Group Connect with Jaren on Twitter   3. Mark Hoffman, Senior Crisis Management & Business Continuity Consultant Connect with Mark on Twitter Episode 51: Cybersecurity Issues That Will Keep You Up at Night   4. Jo Detavernier, Principal at Detavernier Strategic Communication Connect with Jo on Twitter   5. Michelle Garrett, PR Consultant and Prolific Freelance Content Writer Connect with Michelle on Twitter   6. James Green, Director of Risk Advisory Services at SAI Global Connect with James on Twitter   7. Adam Schwartz, Founder, The Cooperative Way Connect with Adam on Twitter   8. Hinda Mitchell, President and Founder of Inspire PR Group Connect with Hinda on Twitter   9. Julia Angelen Joy, Public Relations Strategist and President of Z Group PR Connect with Julia on Twitter CEOs Will Lead Way Through Coronavirus - read the article HERE.   10. Stephanie H. Elsea, VP Marketing & Communications at The Lustgarten Foundation Connect with Stephanie on

The second part of a series on the best communication tactics during COVID-19, these are episodes I am replaying that are still relevant today as they were in March 2020. The focus is on leadership during the pandemic. Even months later, it's easy to spot the leaders who get how to lead in public, and the ones who are missing the mark. Here are seven different tactics leaders can use to build confidence and trust during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. (Original episode aired on March 24, 2020)   © Molly McPherson 2020

Communicators who have been responding to the outbreak of the coronavirus since last spring know how stressful it can be to write the content about your organization's ongoing response.  I hear you. That is why I launched the COVID 19 communication series at the end of 2020 to recount episodes from the first months of the pandemic that still provide valuable insights and tactics that can be used now, months later. In this episode, my favorite writing coach Ann Wiley discusses with me how to write during a crisis to get your messages across clearly, compassionately and confidently.  You’ll learn how to balance communicating early and often in an environment that’s changing by the minute. Mentioned on the episode:  Ann’s E-Zine Ann’s Membership Site Connect with me on Twitter.  (Original episode aired on April 27, 2020) Listen + Subscribe Stitcher or Apple Podcasts   © Molly McPherson 2020

Knowing how to respond when a friend mourns the loss of a loved one can be confusing. People struggle to find the right words to say or to the right thing to do to help a friend cope with grief. Many do not know how to help ease the burden of grieving, especially with quarantine restrictions imposed by the pandemic. This episode is for the person who wants to understand what to say, what to do, and what not to do, for a friend mourning the recent death of a loved one.   © Molly McPherson 2020

A holiday primer for sending a holiday card on behalf of your business—the 2020 edition.  Should you send a holiday card this year? Do you send a Christmas, holiday, or E-card? And Hanukkah and Kwanza? Who to send a card to, where, and what to say.  Plus, easy-to-remember, easy-to-apply tips for getting through a task that many of us put off every year.  Don't forget to download your holiday gift from me: How to Properly Address a Holiday Card    © Molly McPherson 2020

We’re all over-talkers. But not knowing when to shut up can lead to bigger problems.  In this episode Molly shares the importance of knowing when to stop talking in a discussion, argument or negotiation so that you don't create an undesirable outcome for yourself. Plus, an easy-to-follow method for how to do it.    © Molly McPherson 2020

According to this week’s guest, the British royal family has the greatest long-term brand of any organization.   Hard to argue with public relations strategist Julia Angelen Joy. Not only is she an ardent follower of the Windsors, she is also a fan of Netflix drama, The Crown. That’s where I come in.   When I read Julia’s blog post, 16 Royal PR Lessons, I knew I needed to bring her on the podcast to discuss the intersection of my favorite subject—public relations— with my favorite program at the moment.   You guessed it.   Share your thoughts on Twitter: @mollymcpherson @JuliaAngelenPR

The hottest social media app on the market has exploded amid growing frustration over the alleged censorship of pro-conservative posts by Facebook and Twitter. So what is Parler about and who is using it? Listen to hear everything you need to know about the social media platform and whether it is the right place for you.   © Molly McPherson 2020

An estimated 161 million Americans took the polls—either by mail or in-person—to elect a president. What happened after that was a week of division and confusion. One president-elect is declared, the other says, "Not so fast. Even in a competitive election, there was one winning strategy that struck me when it came to creating a wave of support for selling your next product, idea, or campaign: learn how to get people to mobilize and engage your product, idea, business, or movement. Learn how to build a groundswell.      © Molly McPherson 2020

According to my guest, there are no natural-born experts when it comes to dealing with the media. Even the legends need help speaking in front of the camera.  Why is it then, that so many people who are in a position to speak with the press about positive media coverage, dealing with a contentious issue, or managing a full-blown crisis, choose not to receive the training to help them put their organization in the best light possible?  Listen to this week’s guest, Warren Weeks, tell you why he is Canada's most in-demand media trainer.  You can find Warren Weeks on Twitter @warren_weeks or his website www.mediatrainingtoronto.com.   © Molly McPherson 2020

In an interview that made headlines last week, 60 Minutes correspondent Leslie Stahl asked President Trump, "Are you ready for some tough questions?" Whether he was or not, viewers will never know because Trump left the interview. Learn how to build the architecture behind the perfect PR response to stay one step ahead of, rather than behind, a story about your organization. Public opinion moves fast nowadays, especially on social media, which means if you don't know the risks to your organization that can lead to a crisis, you may be worse off than Rudy Guiliani in a Borat film.   © Molly McPherson 2020

During the recent confirmation hearings, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, asked Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett to show the notes she was working from while answering questions for the past few hours. She held up a blank block of notebook paper and said, “Just a letterhead that says United States Senate.”  Now that’s memorization!  On this episode of The Confident Communications Podcast, how to memorize your next speech and know it cold in 7 easy steps. It may not get you through days of confirmation hearings, but it can certainly help.  Mentioned in the episode Orai.com - Master the Art of Public Speaking    © Molly McPherson 2020

If you watched the first presidential debate in 2020, you may have felt like you were watching history - a train wreck of historic proportions. For 90 minutes President Trump repeatedly interjected and clashed with former Vice President Joe Biden. When it was Biden's turn to speak, he vacillated between exasperated smiles and astonished dismay. What may have appeared to look like a chaotic mess, was likely a part of a master plan - at least by one of the candidates. Donald Trump was creating a controlled chaos by repeatedly baiting Biden and debate moderator Chris Wallace. The crosstalk was more a cross between negotiation and intimidation in the form of baiting. It's a manipulative strategy that provokes an angry, aggressive or emotional reaction from another person. Someone can take the bait in a media interview, business negotiation, relationship - and yes - even a debate. Listen to three characters that someone is trying to bait you, and what you can do to stop them dead in their tracks.   © Molly McPherson 2020

With the rising demand for transparency from the public, organizations and their leaders are learning the importance of interacting openly and honestly with their stakeholders. The leaders and organizations who interact openly and honestly with the media and the public, will be rewarded with trust and credibility. Similarly, those who try to mislead and deceive will find themselves in a hole filled with negative press and public opinion, from which they will find it difficult to emerge unscathed.   This episode is a 24-hour glimpse into President Trump’s visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the swirl of confusion that resulted from conflicting reports from Trump’s own chief of staff and press briefings led by his physician.   © Molly McPherson 2020

Everyone makes mistakes. However, not everyone admits to making them, and that can lead to much bigger problems. Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres used the opening monologue of her season premiere to address her role allegations of a toxic production environment at the daytime series in her opening monologue. It was time to admit a mistake. Learn five maneuvers to help create an architecture for getting you through the sometimes brutal process of admitting when you are wrong. Mentioned on the podcast: How to Apologize During a PR Crisis: Why Ellen DeGeneres Kept Quiet (And Why You Shouldn't)  © Molly McPherson 2020

This episode, my 100th, is my treatise for helping communicators do their job in the crazy age of media mayhem. For over two years I have been sharing my advice and experience from the front lines of my client work to help other communicators and PR people become self-confident in their professions. From crisis management to social media wins and fails, this weekly podcast is my commitment to help you communicate better, smarter, and more confidently in a time when it is confusing and stressful.    © Molly McPherson 2020

You know a memorable quote when you hear it. You see it published repeatedly or going viral on social media, you have a quote for the ages. We are weeks into a global pandemic and there are multiple heads of organizations attempting to make their mark on this historic moment. How will they succeed? In this episode, you’re going to learn how to create a memorable quote plus hear examples of memorable quotes throughout history. [4:31] 1: Write like people actually talk.Learn how to be conversational while leaving out the unnecessary filler language. [7:29] 2: Use memorable language.Find out how to use your words to help paint a picture. [8:52] 3: Avoid the hype.Lose the hyperbole and focus on the facts. [9:53] 4: Skip the jargon.No one wants to burn calories struggling to understand your acronyms. [11:38] 5: Fancy facts.Sprinkle storytelling to add depth to the story. [13:12] 6: Use this grammar style to attribute a quote.Certain styles lend themselves to speaking; others to writing. [14:02] 7: Consider the appropriate tense.Different word choices should be used for something that has just happened vs. something that’s more timeless. [15:33] 8: No fake news.Keep it real; avoid the bias. [16:58] 9: Boil down your big idea.Here’s how you can make your message more shareable. © Molly McPherson 2020